Bought an undecorated Model Power 2-8-2 USRA Mikado from a large mailorder service. The engine seems well packed but came out in pieces. The body of the loco was separate from its chassis and the cow catcher and boiler front were loose and the tender was seperate. I got this as a gift from my wife and normally I buy through a local shop. Is it normal to come with assembly required and no instructions or is it what I fear been dropped.
Ouch! [:O] [V] I don’t have enough history in the hobby to know one way or the other, but what you describe doesn’t sound right to me. It should say “Kit” or at least “Some assembly required.” [:-^]
You are surely disappointed, but your wife will be doubly so.
-Crandell
For it to be in pieces like that from a drop, something would have to be broken. Sounds more like it was a return that they resold, without checking to see if it was complete. Or someoen pulled a fast one and put an old Tyco kit in the Model Power box and sent it back.
–Randy
I am with you on a damaged unit returned and not checked out. Its missing pieces too as though the previous buyer was trying to see if it could be fixed and gave up. Pretty frustrating gift for a 37th wedding anniversary present.
Those Model Power - Mehano Pacifics & Mikados were never offered in kit form. I’d take some pictures of it and forward them to their customer service, asking what they’re prepared to do to make this right.
I contacted customer service and whether its a matter of how the company operates or if I just drew an ace for a customer service rep but they are already sending me a replacement at no charge and gave me a return authorization and even offered to refund my postage.
Came out just fine other than the agrivation and all together I guess I haven’t a complaint at this point. I will order from them again with confidence.
Well, since people usually name names when they get bad service, how about saying who this was that gave good service? It’s good to be warned about the bad guys, but it’s also useful to know who the good guys are so they can be rewarded with more business.
–Randy
As long as you all accept that I was protecting their name until they had a chance to make it right. The company was Walthers. And they certainly have stood behind their name and product.
No problem with holding out until you either get service or a cold shoulder. No need to badmouth anyone before they’ve even had a chance to make it right.
–Randy
Wellllll, that depends…
Every loco I’ve bought in the last umpteen years needed some parts applications. Proto, BLI, Athearn, Spectrum, etc., all needed some assembly to complete the loco. But, you could not consider them kits as the vast majority of the model are assembled. The discription “Ready To Run”, in my opinion, literally means you could put it on the track and it will “go”. It does not mean that all the parts are secure and in place.
I am not familiar with your particular loco, but if its fairly obvious that it should not have arrived in the condition it is in, I would return it. Of course if its just a matter of parts that came apart (not actually broken), then I would just put it back together.
Hey, good luck!
Mobilman44